The National tribune., 1887-05-12
MEMORIAL DAH.


through the streets almost at the break OF day. but
they were on pleasure bent And what an exodus
there OF pleasure seelIersl Railroad and steam
boat men stated last night that nothing was ever
known here like il before. Men, women and chill
dren, with grip-sacks aud baskets, fishing tackle,
jump ropes and base ball bats loaded the trains
and thronged the decks Of outgoing steamers In
search Of a breath OF pure fresh air, and pleasant
paslimos la groves and green fields. The city was
nearly depopuiatcd, and many OF The excursionists
did moi return until long aflor midnight.
The reports given in The press generally
throughout the country are still quitesimilar.
1t seems time TO protest against such hilari-
GUS observance Of this sacred, solemn day.
The Post Of this city, commenting on the
growing tendency TO make the Goth Of May
holiday instead of holy day, uttered the
following discreet words in an editorial May
80, 1881:
To vast multitudcs Of the people II must long re-
main a holiday Of peculiar obligation. Sons and
daughters, Rrandsons and granddaughters viii
never forgot where sleep the brave whose death
made them fatherless, and whose devotion saved
the flag. II there Is one day more than another,
therefore--one day Of all ohers-lhe celebration Of
which should be distinguished by an unusual
solcmnity, il is this We mourn the dead who may
not return, and rejoice in the new birth OF freedom
which they wrought in their dissolution.
The very name of the day should shock
profaners Of its sacredness. II is Memorial
Day. Ii is in honor of the dead. 1t is for
the purpose of visiting graves II is not
usual 10 have sports in burial field. We
do not generally get up mourning excur-
siOns. Ii is not customary to picnic sor-
row. II would be curious TO attempt race
at weeping or the invention of tackle for
tears.
Here is call for reform We believe the
matter rests very much with the Grand
Army. Pains should be taken by every Post
TO make the day impressive. Orators should
not indulge in mere punning or humor.
Addresses should be dignifed and solemn
as becomes a quasi-funeral. 1t is well to
have religious exercises in connection with
the floral decorations. Singing is great
help in rendering the service more tender
and devout. Many hymns specially fitted
TO the day have been written and set TO
suitable music. In their bearing on the
street, in procession and among the graves,
all members Of the Grand Army should ex-
hibit such seriousness, earnestness and in
tereSt as TO impress society with the solem-
nifty Of the Memorial Day. Let the season
be as a Sunday in each community. No
soldier, whom Providence spared to escape
the dangers of the battlefield and camp,
and, in many cases, the prison, should de-
cline to give up one day TO paying respects
10 his more unfortunate comrades who lie
in burial fields about his town. Let every
Post do what it can to give grace and
weightiness and seriousness 10 the Soldiers
Day. Every soldiers selfrespect is involved
in his treatment of the Both of May. The
grave of every fallen soldier is living ap-
peal TO surviving comrades for loving at
tentions
As our Sundays are becoming 80 laxly
kept, it is not enough TO say that Memorial
Day should be kind Of Sunday. In many
places the first day Of the week is given up
TO all sorts of sports aud merriment and
games Land and water are searched for
amusement. Memorial Day should be OBJ.
served more in the tone Of Sunday in a
town wherp one very eminent for pieiy and
philanthropy lies dead and preparations are
proceeding for his burial. People walk
softly and speak in lower tones. We do moi
ask for a manufactured, perfunctory sad.
ness. What is wanted is such realization
Of the nature of the day that all faces in q
community win wear evidences Of serious.
ness and thoughtfulness. Once let the genius
of the day become fixed in the hearts and
minds of our American people, and the
methods and tone Of observing il viii adjust
themselves. If the Grand Army will only
show in their demeanor, in their evident
depth Of feeling in q convincing seriousness
as TO the importance of the day, in avoid
ance Of all levity during its impressive hours
their sense Of its weighty significance, com
munity will respond. Jollity viii seem a
out Of place as at a death-bed-yociferou
ness as grating as huzzas at burial Com
rades, be sure Memorial Day as one for spor
cannot long last but as day for grateful
expression and kind feeling toward our fallel
soldiery, il may be as enduring as our Ma
tiOnal monuments, as lasting as our flag.
One stop toward more reverential oh
servance of the day would be the conscious
ness of community that it is not simply 70
the ex-soldiers, but for every man, woman
and child We arc all interested in the deed
achieved by our deceased soldiery. The 3ON
Of May is not day appointed for comrado
TO decorate graves and sing requiems an
play dirges, while the rest of the communit
run of into all sorts Of amusements. II
day Of universal interest, and should elici
tender attentions from all, men and womer